April holds special significance for the Journeys Within team as Khmer New Year, or Choul Chnam Thmey, falls during this month. Khmer New Year falls at the end of the dry (harvest) season in Cambodia, before the rains return. Many locals head home to their villages to be with their families during this time, although hundreds of thousands of local people also flock to the Angkor Park to celebrate their heritage. If you are visiting Cambodia, you may notice decorations such as stars and lights hung out in front of each house. Khmer New Year represents a special opportunity for travelers to partake in the local culture and customs, but be advised that destinations such as Siem Reap will be particularly busy, and many businesses (such as banks) will likely be closed for the holiday.

Photo Credit: Narla Phay

Here is a brief overview of the three main days of Khmer New Year:

Day 1: Maha Sangkran

Maha Sangkran is the first day of the Khmer New Year. Locals dress up formally, and visit their local temples to offer thanks to Buddha for his teachings by lighting candles, burning incense, and kneeling three times before a statue of Buddha. To bring good luck in the New Year, Khmers wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at noon, and their feet in the evening.

Day 2: Virak Vanabat

Vireak Vanabat marks the second day of the New Year and this day set aside to help others by donating to charity, and paying respect to elders, parents, teachers by giving gifts. Many families also attend dedication ceremonies at their local temples to pay respect to their ancestors.

Day 3: Vearak Loeng Sak

The third day of the Khmer New Year is T’ngai Loeng Sak. In order to wash away past negative deeds and to bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life, Buddha statues and family elders are washed with perfumed water.

Photo Credit: Narla Phay

Although Khmer New Year has been celebrated in the month of April since the end of the Angkor Period, this will only be the 5th year that the special celebrations at Angkor Wat will take place. These celebrations are known as Angkor Sankranta, and the festivities are becoming more and more spectacular each year. Last year, more than a million visitors took part in these celebrations, which include traditional dances, Bokator (Khmer martial arts), games such as rope-pulling, Bas Angkulh, Haol Chhoung and Leak Kanseng, along with exhibitions and concerts. You can catch a sneak preview of what to expect with this YouTube clip. Travelers can also visit the Angkor Park after hours during the New Year to see the temples lit up at night, which is not permitted throughout the rest of the year, and no temple passes will be required for night entry. During the day, guests can celebrate the New Year with the throngs of locals partaking in the traditional games.

Photo Credit: Narla Phay

If you are interested in partaking in the festivities – let us know and we can incorporate Khmer New Year into your tour, with a Journeys Within guide to explain the significance of each cultural activity, and to help translate for you.

Here is a quick overview of the Angkor Sankranta schedule this year:

April 13th:

8:00 am – Blessing Ceremony (Boung Soung)

April 14th:

3:12 am – Reception of the Arrival of the New Year Tevada

8:00 am – Opening Ceremony

4:00 pm – Angkor Sankranta Friendship Tug of War (Teanh Proat)

5:00 pm – Khmer Popular Games and Traditional Dance Show

6:00 pm – Floating Lanterns Ceremony

7:00 pm – Khmer Classical Theater: “One Century of History of the Cambodian Royal Ballet”